Across Asia, rehabilitation within correctional systems has been shaped by diverse histories, cultures, and resources. Yet, little has been shared about how these unique contexts influence the way rehabilitation is conceptualised and delivered. Much of the global discourse continues to be driven by Western-derived frameworks, and the extent to which these models have been adopted, adapted, or reimagined in Asian settings remains underexplored. By examining developments across multiple Asian jurisdictions, this keynote will highlight both the challenges and innovations in developing rehabilitation approaches that are not only evidence-based but also culturally and contextually responsive. These insights are vital for policymakers designing strategies and practitioners working directly with individuals with offending histories.
Building on this broader regional perspective, the keynote will showcase Singapore's evidence-based approach to youth offender rehabilitation by examining historical context, current trends and data from Singapore's youth offending landscape. Central to this discussion are findings from multiple comprehensive studies conducted over the past two decades, that involves diverse methodologies including longitudinal tracking, quasi experimental and birth cohort designs. Beyond documenting risk and protective factors, the studies highlight rehabilitation trajectories and underscore the vital roles of families and communities in supporting reintegration.
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Dr Chi Meng Chu
Group Director (Strategy & Research Group), Senior Principal Clinical & Forensic Psychology, Chief Data Officer, National Council of Social Service, Singapore
Dr. Chi Meng Chu is the Group Director (Strategy and Research Group), and the Senior Principal Clinical and Forensic Psychologist at the National Council of Social Service, Singapore. He concurrently holds an appointment as the Director (Special Projects) at the Ministry of Social and Family Development, Singapore. In addition, Chi Meng is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore. Chi Meng has had past stints in delivering forensic health services, overseeing research and evaluation programmes, as well as dabbling in policy work for youth-at-risk issues. Aside from implementing corporate strategies to develop the social service sector in Singapore, Chi Meng currently directs several longitudinal research programmes and a multi-birth-cohort study spanning more than 30 cohorts.
